BREAKING: Hundreds of protesters at gay marriage hearing

Edgar Orea, left, and Dwayne D. Beebe-Franqui argue on the steps of the Carl D. Perkins Federal Building in Ashland, Ky., Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015. Orea, a supporter of Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis, and Beebe-Franqui a supporter of same sex marriage were waiting for the arrival of Kim Davis in Federal Court. Davis and her deputy clerks have been summoned to a hearing Thursday before Judge David Bunning. Davis stopped issuing licenses to all couples in June after the U.S. Supreme Court legalized gay marriage. demonstrators outside are waving signs, chanting and singing hymns as they wait for Davis to arrive. AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley

AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley

Edgar Orea, left, and Dwayne D. Beebe-Franqui argue on the steps of the Carl D. Perkins Federal Building in Ashland, Ky., Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015. Orea, a supporter of Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis, and Beebe-Franqui a supporter of same sex marriage were waiting for the arrival of Kim Davis in Federal Court. Davis and her deputy clerks have been summoned to a hearing Thursday before Judge David Bunning. Davis stopped issuing licenses to all couples in June after the U.S. Supreme Court legalized gay marriage. demonstrators outside are waving signs, chanting and singing hymns as they wait for Davis to arrive.

ASHLAND, Ky. — Hundreds of protesters have filled the street in front of the federal courthouse in Ashland as they wait for a hearing to start on the gay marriage case in Kentucky.

Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis has defied federal court orders to hand out marriage licenses, saying her religious beliefs don’t let her endorse same-sex marriage. A judge has ordered her to appear Thursday. If she continues to refuse to follow the law, she could be hit with fines or jail time.

The demonstrators outside are waving signs, chanting and singing hymns as they wait for Davis to arrive.

Signs ranged from the violent — turn to Jesus or burn — to simple statements of support. The hearing starts at 11 a.m. EDT.